Trump's Va. Campaign Chair Fired for Protest Outside RNC

Donald Trump's presidential campaign did one of the things the Republican candidate is best known for, firing his Virginia campaign chairman for leading a protest outside the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., News4 confirmed.

Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart confirmed for News4 he was fired over the protest Monday. He said he knew the risk going into the protest but felt it was important to do.

"I stood up to the RNC today. I stood up to the Republican establishment," Stewart told News4. "They threatened to fire me and they made good on that threat."

He remains loyal to Trump.

"Tons of interviews today on behalf of Mr. Trump," Stewart posted on Facebook Monday afternoon. "Then, I went to start a rebellion against GOP establishment pukes who betrayed Trump."

The protest was organized after several Republican politicians withdrew their support of Trump following the release last week of audio from 2005 of the candidate making vulgar remarks about women.

Stewart singled out Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10th District), who called on Trump to withdraw and is in a tough reelection fight in northern Virginia herself.

"He might not be very popular in McLean and parts of Fairfax County where she lives, but I think she is misunderstanding her district. I really do," Stewart said.

Comstock did not respond to requests for comment.

Veteran Virginia Republican Bobbie Kilberg, who supports Comstock and has worked with three Republican presidents, said she's not supporting Trump either.

"I think that we have crossed the line and that enough's enough," she said.

Stewart, who is raising money to run for governor of Virginia, posted details about the protest on Facebook Sunday, writing that Republican women in Virginia helped organize a demonstration in support of Trump at the RNC at 2 p.m. Monday. He included the address of the RNC and the closest Metro station.

"While this turn of events is disappointing, I support the Trump campaign's decision to remove their Virginia chairman," Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck said. "With less than a month until Election Day, we can't afford any distractions."

Published 4 minutes ago